How to choose the best SSD for PS5

Choosing the best SSD for your PlayStation 5 can significantly enhance your gaming experience by providing more storage space and faster load times. With the increasing size of modern games, the PS5's smaller built-in storage can quickly fill up, making an SSD upgrade a valuable investment. However, not all SSDs are compatible with the PS5, so it's essential to understand the specific requirements and features to look for. 

In this article, we'll guide you through the key factors to consider when selecting an SSD for your PS5. From compatibility and speed to size and cooling solutions, we'll cover everything you need to know to make an informed decision. Whether you're looking to expand your game library or improve performance, finding the right SSD will ensure a seamless and enhanced gaming experience. 

When choosing an SSD for your PS5, it's crucial to ensure it meets the following specific requirements: 

1. Speed: The SSD must support PCIe Gen4 x4 and have a sequential read speed of at least 5,500 MB/s. This ensures that the SSD can keep up with the PS5's internal storage speed to provide fast load times and smooth gameplay. 
2. Capacity: The SSD should have a storage capacity of about 1TB or more. This capacity allows for flexibility depending on your storage needs and effectively doubles the PlayStation 5's built-in storage capacity. 
3. Form Factor: The SSD must be an M.2 NVMe drive with specific dimensions. It should fit within the PS5's expansion slot, with a width of up to 25mm, length options of 30mm, 40mm, 60mm, 80mm (most common), or 110mm, and a thickness of up to 11.25mm. 
4. Cooling: Effective heat dissipation is essential. The SSD should have a built-in heatsink or be compatible with an aftermarket heatsink to prevent overheating during intense gaming sessions. 
   

You can use a Gen5 internal SSD in a PlayStation 5, but there are some important considerations to keep in mind. The PS5's M.2 slot is designed for PCIe Gen4 x4 SSDs, which means that while a Gen5 SSD can physically fit and function, it will operate at Gen4 speeds due to the PS5's current hardware limitations. Using a Gen 5 SSD in your PS5 won't provide any performance benefits over a high-quality Gen4 SSD, as the console cannot take full advantage of the higher speeds offered by Gen5 technology.  

The Crucial Upgrade Selector lists all Crucial compatible SSDs with the PlayStation 4 and the PlayStation 5, making it easier to find the right SSD for your console. If you decide to use a Gen 5 SSD, ensure it has a built-in heatsink or add one yourself to manage heat effectively, as this is crucial for maintaining optimal performance during gaming sessions. 

When it comes to gaming, speed is everything. The read and write speeds of an SSD can make a huge difference in your gaming experience. High read speeds mean your games load faster, reducing those annoying wait times and letting you dive right into the action.  

The PS5 can support internal SSDs with read speeds up to around 7,000 MB/s. While some SSDs are rated for higher speeds, the PS5 typically utilizes speeds between 5,500 and 6,500 MB/s due to its hardware limitations. For the best performance, aim for an SSD with a read speed of at least 5,500 MB/s. This ensures smooth gameplay and quick load times, so you can spend more time playing and less time waiting. 

Storage capacity is another crucial factor. SSDs for the PS5 come in various sizes, from 250GB to a whopping 4TB. If you only play a few games, a smaller SSD might be enough. But if you have a large game library or like to download new titles frequently, a larger SSD will save you from constantly juggling your storage space. Remember, modern games can be huge (often over 100GB) so having plenty of storage can make your life a lot easier. 

Price is always a consideration. While high-end SSDs offer the best performance, they can be pricey. It’s important to find a balance between cost and performance that fits your budget. There are plenty of budget-friendly options that still deliver great performance for most gamers. Think about your gaming habits and how much you’re willing to spend to find the right SSD for you. 

Finally, don’t overlook brand reliability. Choosing an SSD from a trusted brand like Crucial gives you peace of mind. Crucial SSDs are made by their parent company, Micron—one of the world’s top memory and storage manufacturers. Because Micron designs and builds everything in-house, they can ensure quality at every step of the process. 

It’s kind of like getting your coffee from a café that roasts its own beans versus grabbing one from a vending machine. With Crucial, you’re getting a product that’s been crafted with precision from start to finish. 

By keeping these factors in mind—speed, capacity, price, and brand reliability—you’ll be ready to pick the best SSD for your PS5, giving you faster load times and a smoother gaming experience. 

The Crucial T500 is one of the best SSDs you can get for your PS5. It supports PCIe Gen4 x4 and offers impressive read speeds of up to 7,400 MB/s, which is well above the PS5's requirement. This SSD ensures fast load times and smooth gameplay, making it an excellent choice for gamers who want top-tier performance. The T500 is also available in a 4TB option, providing ample storage for extensive game libraries.  

The Crucial P310 2280 is another solid internal SSD choice, especially if you're looking for a high-performance option. While it doesn't match the top speeds of the T500, it still offers good performance with read speeds up to 7,100 MB/s. This makes it a suitable option for gamers who want to expand their storage without breaking the bank. The P310 2280 is a single-sided, DRAM-less SSD that uses QLC NAND flash, which helps keep the cost down while providing decent everyday performance. 

For those on a tighter budget, the Crucial P3 Plus is a great option. It supports PCIe Gen4 x4 and offers read speeds of up to 5,000 MB/s. While it doesn't match the speeds of the T500 or P310 2280, it's still a significant upgrade over the PS5's internal storage and provides good performance at an excellent price.?

Installing an internal SSD in your PlayStation 5 is a straightforward process. First, ensure your PS5 is turned off and unplugged. Remove the side panel to access the SSD slot, then insert the SSD into the slot at an angle and secure it with the screw provided. Replace the side panel, plug in your PS5, and turn it on. The console will prompt you to format the new SSD, and once that's done, you're ready to go!?

For a more detailed step-by-step guide, check out our video tutorial or read our full article.

Our customers have had great experiences with these NVMe SSDs for their PS5. Here are some of their thoughts: 

A verified buyer on Crucial.com praised the?Crucial T500, saying, "This product was very easy to install and is working great. My kids were thrilled to see so much space on the PS5. They often fought for space and would upset each other over game deletions to install others. This solved the issue, and we see no noticeable game performance changes. A big win for our home." 

The?Crucial P310?has also received positive feedback from reviewers. Tom's Hardware noted, "The Crucial P310 is an excellent M.2 2230 SSD, wedding a powerful DRAM-less controller with the newest QLC for surprisingly strong performance and good power efficiency"¹. PCMag highlighted its versatility, stating, "The Crucial P310 PCI Express 4.0 internal SSD offers adequate gaming and slightly better general-storage performance."² 

For the?Crucial P3 Plus, Tom's Hardware mentioned, "The P3 Plus is a good budget SSD with Crucial’s new QLC."³ PCWorld added, "Though not a top-tier PCIe 4 performer, the P3 Plus is fast in the real world and we can’t argue with 4TB for $400."⁴ 

Whether you're after top-notch performance, or a budget-friendly option, Crucial has something for everyone. Upgrade your gaming setup with confidence, knowing you're getting a quality and reliable SSD. 

Choosing the best SSD for your PS5 can greatly enhance your gaming experience by providing more storage space and faster load times. By considering key factors such as speed, capacity, price, and brand reliability, you can make an informed decision that suits your needs and budget. Whether you opt for a high-performance SSD like the Crucial T500, a mainstream option like the P310 2280, or a budget-friendly choice like the P3 Plus, upgrading your PS5's storage will ensure you enjoy seamless and efficient gameplay.?

1. "Crucial P310 Review."?Tom's Hardware,?www.tomshardware.com/reviews/crucial-p310-ssd-review. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.
2. "Crucial P310 PCI Express 4.0 Internal SSD Review."?PCMag,?www.pcmag.com/reviews/crucial-p310-pci-express-4-0-internal-ssd. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.
3. "Crucial P3 Plus Review."?Tom's Hardware,?www.tomshardware.com/reviews/crucial-p3-plus-ssd-review. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.
4. "Crucial P3 Plus Review: Fast in the Real World."?PCWorld,?www.pcworld.com/article/crucial-p3-plus-ssd-review. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.
5. Gaming speed claims based on Micron test results measuring Forspoken Benchmark, Call of Duty? and Valorant? bootup times of the Crucial T500 and other Gen4 SSDs. Your performance may vary.
6. Some of the storage capacity is used for formatting and other purposes and is not available for data storage. 1GB equals 1 billion bytes. Not all capacities available at initial launch. See https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/hardware/ps5-install-m2-ssd/ for specs and installation instructions.
7. Micron is not responsible for the user damaging the PS5 or other material?